| Title: |
Tackle higher or lower? Simulation to evaluate how changing the tackle-height would impact the number of concussions and head acceleration events in men’s professional rugby league |
| Authors: |
Owen, C; Tooby, J; Sawczuk, T; Roe, G; Phillips, G; Scantlebury, S; Vishnubala, D; Gardner, AJ; Johnston, RD; Hendricks, S; Kolstad, AT; Stokes, K; Jones, B |
| Publisher Information: |
BMJ Publishing Group |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Collection: |
Leeds Beckett University Repository |
| Description: |
Objective: To quantify concussion and head acceleration event (HAE) probability in rugby league tackles by tackle-height and role and simulate seasonal counts across different tackle-height distributions. Methods: Using a prospective cohort study, data reflecting clinically diagnosed concussions (n=56) and HAEs (n=4,632; measured via instrumented mouthguards from 23,081 tackles in 92 players) were collected during the 2023 men’s Super League season. Video analysis captured tackle-heights for all concussive and accelerometer-measured tackles. Role-specific probabilities were calculated using cumulative link mixed models. Monte Carlo simulation quantified concussions and HAEs across the current tackle-height distribution, and three lower tackle-height distributions (weighted redistribution [increased torso tackles], even redistribution [increased torso and lower body tackles] and observed law trial distribution). Results: Ball-carriers experienced the highest concussion and HAE risk from head/neck contact compared to other tackle-heights (e.g., HAE ≥25g; 2.7% vs 0.4-1.1%), whilst tackler risk was similar. The number of ball-carrier concussions (16 vs 8-9) and HAEs (≥25g; 830 vs 357-556) decreased with all lower tackle-height distributions. For tacklers, the only meaningful change was an increase in HAEs following the even redistribution of a lower tackle-height (≥25g; 2081 vs 2204). When considering both roles together, only even and weighted lower tackle-height redistributions reduced the total number of lower-to-moderate magnitude HAEs, with no meaningful differences observed for concussions or higher magnitude (≥55g) HAEs. Conclusion: Lowering the tackle-height creates a protection paradox, benefiting ball-carriers, whilst potentially maintaining or increasing the risk for tacklers. Simulated findings may inform policy changes by estimating outcomes and allowing evaluation prior to implementation. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
text |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
0306-3674 |
| Relation: |
https://eprints.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/id/eprint/12859/1/TackleHigherOrLowerSimulationToEvaluateHowChangingTheTackleheightWouldImpactTheNumberOfConcussionsAndHeadAccelerationEventsInMensProfessionalRug.PDF; Owen, C and Tooby, J and Sawczuk, T and Roe, G and Phillips, G and Scantlebury, S and Vishnubala, D and Gardner, AJ and Johnston, RD and Hendricks, S and Kolstad, AT and Stokes, K and Jones, B (2026) Tackle higher or lower? Simulation to evaluate how changing the tackle-height would impact the number of concussions and head acceleration events in men’s professional rugby league. British Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0306-3674 [Article] (In Press) |
| Availability: |
https://eprints.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/id/eprint/12859/; https://eprints.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/id/eprint/12859/1/TackleHigherOrLowerSimulationToEvaluateHowChangingTheTackleheightWouldImpactTheNumberOfConcussionsAndHeadAccelerationEventsInMensProfessionalRug.PDF |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.7E90EC28 |
| Database: |
BASE |